☰
Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Ceiling Zero

Play trailer Poster for Ceiling Zero 1935 1h 35m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Former World War I aviator Jake Lee (Pat O'Brien) runs the Newark branch of an air freight company, with his fellow ace Tex Clarke (Stuart Erwin) as his best pilot. When their hot-dogging friend Dizzy Davis (James Cagney) comes looking for a job, Jake hires him despite warnings about Dizzy's brash and potentially dangerous ways. When Dizzy's attraction to tomboyish teenage greenhorn pilot "Tommy" Thomas (June Travis) jeopardizes another pilot's safety, it's up to him to try to save the day.

Critics Reviews

View More (7)
Otis Ferguson The New Republic In a sense this film is the kind of thing the movies do best; in another sense it is the sort of thing they seldom do at all. It has dash, vigor, the fascination of strange, deep and meaningful devices; but it carries a sting. May 23, 2024 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader The overlapping, speeding dialogue is perfectly launched, as Hawks cuts to the core of the play with his own meditations on personality and responsibility. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine Cagney, as the last of the conceited roughnecks, turns in one of his real characterizations. Within the Cagney-Pat O'Brien pals-and-a-gal formula, the producers have managed to achieve a fresh and spirited film. Apr 20, 2020 Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine The action is superb, the characterization, especially in the case of James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, is sharp and believable. Sep 25, 2019 Full Review Nathanael Hood The Retro Set Cagney and Travis have a bubbly, magnetic attraction. Rated: 6/10 Dec 28, 2018 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews An entertaining adventure story of an irresponsible but great civil airline pilot. Rated: B Oct 14, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (2)
Steve D Depressing and not much else. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/06/24 Full Review Audience Member A pleasant adaptation of a theater play but it fails to offer the larger scope movies make possible. Over all the film lacks interest (I couldn't care less about the characters) and this sense of liberty that comes with an aeroplane. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Ceiling Zero

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Howard Hawks

Director

James Cagney

Dizzy Davis

Pat O'Brien

Jake L. Lee

June Travis

Tommy Thomas

Stu Erwin

Texas Clarke

Barton MacLane

Al Stone

More Like This

View All
Empire of the Sun 77% 90% Empire of the Sun Watchlist Rough Magic 25% 40% Rough Magic Watchlist The Big Brawl 67% 43% The Big Brawl Watchlist Ring of Bright Water 80% 85% Ring of Bright Water Watchlist The Count of Monte Cristo 74% 88% The Count of Monte Cristo Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Ceiling Zero

Ceiling Zero (1935) Ceiling Zero (1935) Ceiling Zero (1935) Ceiling Zero (1935) Ceiling Zero (1935) Ceiling Zero (1935) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Former World War I aviator Jake Lee (Pat O'Brien) runs the Newark branch of an air freight company, with his fellow ace Tex Clarke (Stuart Erwin) as his best pilot. When their hot-dogging friend Dizzy Davis (James Cagney) comes looking for a job, Jake hires him despite warnings about Dizzy's brash and potentially dangerous ways. When Dizzy's attraction to tomboyish teenage greenhorn pilot "Tommy" Thomas (June Travis) jeopardizes another pilot's safety, it's up to him to try to save the day.
Director
Howard Hawks
Producer
Hal B. Wallis, Jack L. Warner
Screenwriter
Frank Wead
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 35m